Monogamy, by default, isn’t for everyone. In fact, some people may find they are happier in open or non-monogamous relationships, where they can have some level of sexual or romantic non-exclusivity.

So, exactly how many Americans are interested in non-monogamy?  

A YouGov poll of more than 1,100 Americans found that about a quarter (26%) of Americans say they would be interested in having a non-monogamous relationship. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of Americans see monogamy as an ideal relationship model, but only 58% say their ideal relationship would be complete traditional monogamy. Slightly more than a quarter (28%) of Americans don’t fully believe in monogamy.

What’s your ideal relationship type right now?

The same survey found that men (32%) are more likely than women (19%) to say they would be interested in a non-monogamous relationship. The most common type of non-monogamous ideal relationship for both men (15%) and women (8%) is open monogamy, which is one serious romantic relationship or marriage with some sexual activity outside of it.

The non-monogamy spectrum

‍Ashley Madison, to no surprise, has seen a similar interest in non-monogamy amongst its members. Non-monogamy encompasses a spectrum of relationship types, including polyamory, ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ ‘monogamish’, open, swinging and infidelity.

Women are more interested in non-monogamy than men, as 44% of female members report more than one affair partner at a time, compared to 36% of male members.^* For women, the most important benefit of multiple sexual relationships was the ability to express different parts of themselves with different people (56%), followed by “having multiple needs met by multiple people” (50%) and “never getting bored” (50%) with their sex life.

More Zillennials believe they would try a non-monogamous relationship compared to older Americans.

American attitudes towards non-monogamy are changing. Based on the same YouGov poll, a full 40% of Zillenial (ages 18-34) Americans believe society would benefit from moving towards a more open style of monogamy. A third are undecided. 

The generational divide is striking. Four in 10 Zillennials (aged 18 – 34) would be interested in non-monogamy. At the same time, Generation X trails 14 points behind (26%), followed by Baby Boomers (11%), who are the least likely to express interest in a non-monogamous relationship.

Surprisingly enough, Zillennial women (47%) are more likely than Zillennial men (37%) to indicate they would be open to non-monogamy. A younger generation of women appear to be leading the charge against monogamy by default.

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Source

‍Based on an online survey conducted by YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,195 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 28^th and 31^st January 2022. The survey was commissioned by Ashley Madison in consultation with Dr. Zhana Vrangalova. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18+).